Prof Peter Gregory, Chief Executive at EMR commented, “Each of these three winners should be congratulated for doing something very special indeed. Fruit production is very much a high-tech part of British agriculture, with management and attention to detail needed to cover everything from varietal choice and the efficient use of nutrients through to looking after the fruit once it’s been harvested. All three winners have excelled in delivering what the consumer wants.”

The winners were selected by an expert panel of judges from three finalists who were shortlisted for each award category. The shortlisted finalists received the most votes in each award category and had been nominated and voted for by members of the public.

Stephanie Durling of ‘Produced in Kent’ comments: “We would like to thank the thousands of people who took the time to vote in this, our tenth year. We are especially delighted that nearly 500 local businesses across the county were nominated for the awards. The battle for first place amongst the finalists was hard, with a really tough decision for our judges. The standard of products, produce, shops, pubs and restaurants is very high and Kent is firmly becoming established as a foody destination in the UK.”

Fruit growers in ‘best berry’ honour

Several fruit growers and a farm shop were among those named the county’s finest at the 2014 Taste of Kent Awards last night (13 March).

Macknade Fine Foods farm shop in Faversham pipped Whitstable Produce Store to become the county’s best food retailer for a third time after wins in 2009 and 2010.

Newmafruit in Chartham was voted Kent’s best raspberry grower, with Langdon Manor Farm winning best strawberries, and Elverton Farms bagging best cherry for its Merchant variety.

Also shortlisted were AJ Barkaway and Newlands Juices of Faversham and Whitstable Produce Store.

The winners were announced at a black tie dinner held at the Kent County Showground in Detling.

Stephanie Durling, of organisers Produced in Kent, told The Canterbury Times: “We would like to thank the thousands of people who took the time to vote in this, our tenth year.

“We are especially delighted that nearly 500 local businesses across the county were nominated for the awards.

“The battle for first place amongst the finalists has hard, with a really tough decision for our judges. The standard of products, produce, shops, pubs and restaurants is very high and Kent is firmly becoming established as a foody destination in the UK.”